Language : Malayalam
Release date: 16 December 2022
Starring: Kunchacko boban, Divya prabha
Directed by: Mahesh Narayanan
Produced by: Mahesh Narayanan, Kunchacko Boban, Shebin backer
Music by: Sushin Shyam
Cinematography : Sanu Varghese
Edited by :Mahesh Narayanan
Ariyippu is a Malayalam drama film written and directed by Mahesh Narayanan. The film is produced by Shebin Backer, under the banner of Shebin Backer Productions, Kunchacko Boban under the banner of Kunchacko Boban Productions and Mahesh Narayanan himself under the Moving Narratives banner. It features Kunchacko Boban, Divya Prabha, Danish husain, Loveleen Mishra, and Faizal Malik in pivotal roles. The film premiered in the Concorso internazionale (international competition section) of the 75th Locarno Film Festival on 4 August 2022, where it was nominated for Golden Leopard.
What works
Although it has been discussed many times in recent Indian cinema, the subject chosen by Mahesh Narayanan was excellent for its contemporary relevance. Mahesh Narayanan also succeeded in giving an Iranian touch to the plot.
Divya Prabha, who has come to the lead role, is carrying the film on her shoulders from the beginning. Being one of the underrated heroines in Malayalam cinema, Divya Prabha is trying to wake up Malayalam cinema with her performance. Kunchako was flawless but seemed miscast
What doesn’t work
A subject for a 15-minute short film as the cameraman showed his brilliance by capturing every angle and movement of the characters, walking with the actor and running with him, It lasted for one and half hour. Although intellectuals may call the film a slow burn drama, the director has adopted an approach that follows the tag line of Art a its best form by giving an incomplete climax . Often the film takes on a documentary mood and makes an interesting plot incredibly complicated. By all accounts, what the audience got was the worst work of Mahesh Narayanan‘s career.
Bottomline
Director Mahesh Narayanan’s weakest work till date..
